Bass bar for stringed instruments



Dec. 14, 1926. 1,611,100

i. s. CHRISTY BASE BAR FOR STRINGED'INSTRUMENTS Filed July 25. 1923 ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 14, 1926.

UNITED STATES IRA SHERIDAN CHRISTY, 0F REVERE, MISSOURI.

BASS BAR FOR STRINGED INSTRUMENTS.

Application filed July 23, 1923. Serial No. 653,336.

This invention relates to an attachment for violins, Violas, violon-cello, bass viol .and analogous string instruments, and an object of the invention is to provide means for securing an exact and even tension on or of the bass bar, which means will overcome the weakness between the bass bar and sound post and will provide an even scale or equality of tone power and more specifically the invention comprehends the provision of asprnce resonator plate of suitable dimensions to properly fit the top table of the violin and tensioned to expand the center of the top table and depress the centers of the end bouts of the same, by a single bridge foot connection to each of the three above mentioned points, which bridge extending laterally for connection to the bass bar as well as to the longitudinal centers of the top table.

Another object of the invention is to provide, in a device as specified an extra tension bar which may be glued to the resonator plate and extend throughout the entire length of the resonator plate which will serve both as a tension bar and reinforcing rib.

Other objects of the invention will appear in the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein Fig. 1 is a plan of a violin showing the improved tension resonator applied thereto.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a cross section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. l is a cross section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the improved tension resonator or equalizer is illustrated as applied to a VlOllIl, but it is to be understood that it may be applied to any musical instrumentof the violin family, such as aviolon-cello, viola, or a bass Viol, without departing from the spirit of this invention.

In the illustration shown in the drawings, the belly 1 of the violin body has a bass bar 2 attached to the inner surfaces thereof and extending longitudinally therealong to one side of the longitudinal center of the body as is usual in the construction of approved types of violins. The bass bar 2 has the tension resonator or resonator plate at tached to its lower edge, which resonator comprises a horizontal flat strip 4 which is attached, at its ends to the bar 2 and to the under surface of the belly l of the violin by posts 5. The resonator plate 3 is attached intermediate its ends to the violin belly 1 by a single attaching member or bridge 6 which is formed of the desired thickness according to the needed correc tion determined by relative thickness of the belly 1 and back 7 of the violin body.

If it is so desired, or if it is necessary, a tension bar 9 may be attached to the under surfaces of the flat strip 4, directly beneath and in alignment with the bass bar 2, however, the tensioning bar may be eliminated if desired.

The entire device is designed to be constructed of wood or other suitable fibrous material, and the resonator plate is preferably made of spruce, however, it is to be understood that any suitable material may be employed in the construction of the apparatus without departing from the spirit of this invention.

Having thus described my invention what I claim is:

1. The combination with a bass bar, of a resonator positioned at the lower longitudinal edge of the bass bar and extending laterally therefrom.

2. The combination with a bass bar, of a resonator secured to a longitudinal edge of the base bar and extending laterally therefrom, and a reinforcing member secured to and extending longitudinally of the resonator.

3. The combination with a violin, of a bass bar secured to the belly of the violin, a resonator secured to the bass bar and extending longitudinally thereof, and a connection between the resonator and the belly of the violin.

4. A device of the class described comprising in combination with a belly of a stringed instrument, a bass bar extending longitudinally along the inner side thereof, a laterally Ill projecting resonator plate having one of its resonator plate in alignment with the half-1S longitudinal edges secured along the inner bar and extending throughout the length of edge of the base bar and having its outer the bass bar. 10 edge free, posts connecting the ends of the In testimony whereof I affix my signaresonator plate to the bass bar and to the ture.

inner surfaces; of the belly and; t e "ding har attached to the under surface of the IRA SHERIDAN CHRESTY. 

